Cristiani clinches Airport Auto Brokers Late Model championship

Aug. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- 16 year-old Trevor Cristiani won the biggest race of his career by winning the Airport Auto Brokers Late Model Series feature at Ukiah Speedway on Saturday night to clinch the series championship with still two races left to go.  Cristiani also grabbed fast-time honors for the second time in 2011.

“There are really not words to describe how happy I am to win a championship in my first full season of Late Models,” Cristiani said.  “...I never thought I would clinch it in only 10 races.”

Cristiani has already accomplished much in his young career including 15 Outlaw Kart championships, scoring his first Modified win at age 14, and getting his first Late Model quick time at age 15.  2011 has seen Cristiani dominate the AABLM from the start beginning with three straight runner-up finishes.

Cristiani’s first win of the season came at Redwood Acres Raceway in June and he followed that up with a pole and second place finish at Ukiah.

In all, Cristiani has tallied up eight top-two finishes and a pair of fourth place efforts in the 10 races held so far.  On Saturday night, Cristiani started eighth but immediately charged to fourth by lap three.  He then took over third by lap 10 and was up to second on lap 12.

Cristiani took the lead on lap 18 but with still 57 laps to go he would need to run a smooth and consistent race to hold off the challengers.

A late caution set up a shootout between Cristiani and veteran Junior Roddy, but on the restart Cristiani rocketed away.  Running his best lap of the race on lap 72, Cristiani distanced himself and took the checkered flag.

The championship allows Cristiani to focus on a return to Roseville’s All American Speedway this Saturday night.  Cristiani nearly won the AABLM feature at Roseville in April, loosing the lead in a late race shootout after dominating much of the event.

All American Speedway was Cristiani’s second home track in 2010 as he raced full-time there for a driver development program.  He has yet to win at the track he considers one of his favorites.

“This is my favorite track especially in a Late Model,” Cristiani said.  “I felt like I had a car to win there last time and there is expected to be the best car count all year so I am looking forward to a great weekend!”

Trevor Cristiani Racing is already looking towards 2012 with an eye on competing in the SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour.  Interested sponsors can contact steven@norcalmedia.com for more information.

Race fans can learn more about Trevor Cristiani Racing at www.trevorcristianiracing.com orr by visiting the team on Facebook at keywords “Cristiani Motorsports”.

Trevor Cristiani Racing thanks sponsors: Fast Lube Plus, S&S Sports Enterprises, Nitro Racing, Matt’s Custom Tree Care, Johnny Franklin Mufflers, Kutting Edge Auto Refinishing, First Choice Import Engines, and Blakesley Sports Media.